(Michigan City, IN) - Allowing people to leave a bar or restaurant with alcoholic beverages and walk with their drinks to places like Washington Park beach is under consideration in Michigan City. Supporters feel the proposal would help promote tourism by enhancing the experience for visitors here especially during the summer.
“Ours is a tourist town and people do come to enjoy,” said Councilman Dr. Vidya Kora.
Designated outdoor refreshment areas would be established under an ordinance expected to come up for a vote by the Michigan City Common Council on August 6th. One proposed zone runs along the lakefront, but those boundaries are narrow enough to prohibit restaurant customers from walking across the lines to places like nearby Washington Park Zoo with their alcoholic beverages, said Councilman Greg Coulter, who presented the measure at the council meeting on July 16th.
Coulter said the other zone on the city’s north end would not allow pedestrians to take beverages containing alcohol from a restaurant to Michigan City Public Library, but they could walk with those drinks to places such as Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets mall.
“You have to stay within those boundaries,” he said.
One of the select number of participating vendors outlined in the proposal includes Leeds Public House, a gastro pub at 4th and Franklin streets.
Sunset Grill at Washington Park and Harbor Country Adventures, which offers food and drinks on its Lake Michigan cruise ship docked at Trail Creek, along with Bartlett’s Fish Camp near the water’s edge are referred to as potentially taking part. Coulter said any restaurant or bar and festivals within the zones, though, would be allowed to participate.
To insure compliance, Coulter said the clear plastic 12 ounce and 16 ounce containers holding beer, wine or mixed drinks would be marked with a logo. He said the logo would reveal they came from a participating restaurant, not from a home where a “Solo cup” was filled with an adult beverage purchased elsewhere.
Coulter said the ordinance would be in effect from 12 p.m. to midnight but that could change to reflect the business hours of the establishments.
Kora said he likes the idea but wanted feedback from police on how such a practice can be allowed safely. Councilwoman Tracie Tillman said she felt the zones were not much different than the restricted areas beer tents and beer festivals operate under already. There is some concern the measure could result in open partying and other forms of public disruption. Scott Meland, a local real estate broker, encouraged the city council to support it.
“We’re not going to become New Orleans. It took them a while to get their reputation. It’s kind of civilized to be able to order a beer and leave the establishment to go on with your festivities,” he said.
Coulter said the matter will be further discussed during a workshop session of the council on July 30th at 5 p.m. at City Hall.
